speedreadstagram's reviews
1885 reviews

I was partially right, this book was not as good as the last I read, BUT it was good in its own right. I almost dropped it because the beginning was so boring and slow, but I read some other reviews and found others said this but that it does get better. So I continued on. While I can’t say I’m glad I did, I’m not upset my my decision to keep reading.

Overall the book was engaging and well written, except the beginning that is. I enjoyed the character development and the story from both Megan and Carla’s perspectives. The big reveal was a big reveal and not one I saw coming, though I actively try to not guess as I find it fun to be surprised.

The story wraps up nicely and doesn’t leave you questioning a lot of things, a few, but in a good way. Overall I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. Great character development and a fun big reveal.

Special thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, Canongate, for early access to this ebook.

This book was a slow burner. It’s been a while since I’ve DNF’d a book because I am usually pleasantly surprised in the end. That was for sure the case here.

The character development is spot on. It reminded me of a Tarryn Fisher novel in this regards, and the slow burn.

The main character is Beth who’s mother walked out on her and her dad at 10. What unfolds is a story of a heinous childhood act, and an unraveling present. You know when Beths mother suddenly appears that something is amok, but how long will it go on before Beth figures it out.

While Beth did some horrible things as a teen, you connect with her because of what she’s going through. It was uncomfortable to have these emotions because of the outcomes of her emotions, but it does make you think about why people act out. Everyone has their own personal battles. This book makes you examine those.

Overall I’m giving this book 3.5 out of 5 but I’m also rounding up because I loved the ending. Thank you netgalley and HarperCollins UK for an ARC of this book.

Since I've seen quite a few mixed reviews about this book I was worried I wouldn't like it. I've been wanting this book since I first saw the ARC and looked it up. Unfortunately, I couldn't get my hands on an ARC so I anxiously awaited the publication day. As soon as this book arrived on my porch I wanted to start reading, but I needed to wait as I had just started another, and I only read one book at a time. Okay now onto the review.

At first this book reminded me of Lisa Foley's the Guest List because most of the book was set on a secluded island. However, the more I read the more I found the differences. The story is told from Abigal's perspective. Abigal meets and falls in love with a tech millionaire named Bruce. While he isn't the best in the sack, she loves him for other reason, maybe even because he is rich. However, when Abigail is on her bachelorette weekend, she is swept off her feet by someone else and they end up sleeping together. This is three weeks before the wedding.

Abigail goes forward with the wedding even though she has doubts she truly loves Bruce; she has decided she will be happy enough. However, the one-night stand shows up! He has followed her to New York...and then he shows up at her wedding...and then her honeymoon! WHAT!!!

This is where things get interesting...and of course it was lunch time and my husband got home so I had to put the book down. When I was able to pick it back up, I quickly finished, I couldn't bear to put the story down again. Thats how engaging it was. I loved the mystery of this book and it definitely kept me wanting more up until the very end. I love a good epilogue and this book did not disappoint. While I'm not sure I'd say this is a true through and through thriller, its definitely a good story worth reading! As i've only read one other book by this author (which I also enjoyed) I didn't have a ton of preconceived notions going into the book which I think helped as I've heard this one is slightly different than the rest.

I loved this book! It was everything I wanted and more, including the surprise twist at the very end.

We follow the story of Melissa who had a seemingly perfect life, happy family and great job. Then one of her twin infant daughters dies of SIDS. It’s horrible and life altering but odds are it won’t happen again…the shortly later the remaining twin dies as well. Odds are too slim for it to have been SIDS again, right? That’s Melissa’s position though.

Ultimately, Melissa gets convicted if murdering one of the twins and is prison – but new information has come to light. Will it make a difference? Investigative Journalist Jonathon, who covered the original case, sets to find out. This case hits close to home for Jon, will he survive?

We end with the results of Melissa’s appeal and a shocking revelation!

Check out this book for a gripping thriller. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

If you love US historical fiction then you’ll love this book. The author weaves a beautiful story of Cussy Mary, a blue woman, on her journey with brining books to the rural Appalachians. “Bluet” as she is called, or “Book Woman” lost her mother and struggles with fitting into her community as she is considered “colored”. She finds help in the WPA program to bring books to even more rural members of the community.

Cussy’s story is inspirational, heartwarming and heartbreaking. This book had me going “oh no” to “yay”!

I also enjoyed the authors note that provided some clarity. This book is fictional but well researched so it feels like it was true. I’d also recommend this book to those who loved reading Kristin Hannah’s “The Four Winds”.

This was a beautifully written story. The character development was spot on, enough to want to know about everyone but not too much you disengaged.

This story follows Flora and Julian, their daughter Ruby and their best friends Margot and David. We hear some of the story from each of their perspectives.

The story focuses on the finding of Julians first wedding ring he claimed to have lost, and the subsequent discovery of what really happened.

While I wasn’t exactly satisfied with how the book ended it was a nice ending. I wish the book had gone on a little longer exploring the result more. However I’d still give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I finished this book almost in one sitting. It was an incredibly fast read, but it wasn’t necessarily captivating. I kept reading trying to figure it out but was perplexed for a lot of it, and not in a good way. The author threw several false paths trying to entertain us but honestly after the first I found the subsequent ones annoying.

The twist at the end wasn’t really satisfying and this book kinda just left me feeling like I wasted my time reading it. I really wanted to like this book and know more but the character development was lacking on several accounts.

Overall I’d give this book a meager 2.5 out of 5.

I am always a bit unsure of reading books that have been made into movies, but in this case I haven’t watched the movie so I felt I could enjoy the book.

I will say I rather enjoyed this book. I learned quite a few things. I never understood the role of a geisha and this book covered that. It’s always intriguing to read about other cultures, or at least I think so.

Since this is a work of fiction of course some liberties were made, but the book was a wonderful telling of Suyuri’s life and how she became Suyuri

While this book is on the longer side I quickly made it through and enjoyed the pacing of the story, and the story itself.

This book was an action packed wild ride. I must not have carefully read the description when I added this to my library queue because I was surprised with the story from the get go. Typically I do some digging first to get a feel for the story. Must have forgotten during the long wait to get this book! But the wait was worth it.

The author paints the story in a way you feel like you’re watching a movie. Everything is so vivid. It’s amazing.

While the ending did seem a bit picture perfect and unrealistic, what do you expect from a book about mob revenge?

I’m so glad I finally read this book. It was a fun ride!

I was so excited when I found out I won this kindle book in a Goodreads giveaway. I’ve had my eye on it a while, and the library has a wait a couple months long!

This book did not disappoint. It made you question the lengths you’d go to save your child. Would you be willing to give up another person you loved? What if that person has held onto a life shattering secret for over 30 years? Would it matter? Does it matter you’re now very wealthy, having married into it, and you came up dirt poor?

This book had me reading late into the night and first thing in the morning. I didn’t want to put it down. What will Bree do? Will it be enough, or in time to save her only son, Robert?

Grab your copy to find out! I hope you enjoy